Toxicol Res.  2012 Sep;28(3):143-149.

Heavy Metal Risk Management: Case Analysis

• Kim JA
• Lee SH
• Choi SH
• Jung KK
• Park MS
• Jeong JY
• Hwang MS
• Yoon HJ
• Choi DW

Abstract

To prepare measures for practical policy utilization and the control of heavy metals, hazard control related institutions by country, present states of control by country, and present states of control by heavy metals were examined. Hazard control cases by heavy metals in various countries were compared and analyzed. In certain countries (e.g., the U.S., the U.K., and Japan), hazardous substances found in foods (e.g., arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury) are controlled. In addition, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) recommends calculating the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of individual heavy metals instead of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) to compare their pollution levels considering their toxicity accumulated in the human body. In Korea, exposure assessments have been conducted, and in other countries, hazardous substances are controlled by various governing bodies. As such, in Korea and other countries, diverse food heavy metal monitoring and human body exposure assessments are conducted, and reducing measures are prepared accordingly. To reduce the danger of hazardous substances, many countries provide leaflets and guidelines, develop hazardous heavy metal intake recommendations, and take necessary actions. Hazard control case analyses can assist in securing consumer safety by establishing systematic and reliable hazard control methods.

Keyword

Hazardous substances; Risk management; Case analysis; Heavy metal

MeSH Terms

Arsenic
Cadmium
Food Additives
Hazardous Substances
Human Body
Joints
Korea
Metals, Heavy
Risk Management
Safety Management
Arsenic
Cadmium
Food Additives
Hazardous Substances
Metals, Heavy